Graphics provides support at VTCs

  • Published
  • By Airman 1st Class Tiffany Colburn
  • 39th Air Base Wing Public Affairs
INCIRLIK AIR BASE, Turkey --  With all of the posters, pamphlets, and signs around base you may think there is a large group of Airmen working these visual projects, but in fact it is only two from the 39th Communications Squadron, Staff Sgt. Milette Mitchell, non-commissioned officer in charge of base graphics, and Senior Airman Bethany Cihal, graphics illustrator.

Base Graphics provides products that support official business and works with their customers to make sure they get exactly what they need.

"Whatever the customer may need we will work with them to help get their request filled," said Airman Cihal.

Graphics supports various functions on base such as special events and commander's calls.

"Most of our work is for training or base installation support," said Airman Cihal. "We support base events with presentation hardware and set up the screen and projector for a lot of other requests."

One of the many additional duties of graphics is to help set up video teleconferences. VTCs use telecommunications of audio and video to bring people at different sites together for a meeting.

"What we do is schedule the 39th Air Base Wing conference room for VTCs if we are the site that is hosting or having the conference," said Sergeant Mitchell "We operate the equipment and troubleshoot if problems arise."

Base graphics representatives are available for the duration of the VTC and don't leave the technical duties for the inexperienced. They are also responsible for screening personnel attending the VTCs on sensitive topics.

"We monitor the conference for classified VTCs, make sure no one can hear what's being discussed in the VTC and ensure no one goes in or comes out while the VTC is in progress," said Sergeant Mitchell.

There isn't a set schedule for VTCs, but there are usually a couple per week unless last-minute scheduling is required.

"I've done three in one day while I've been here and they were doing four a day during the Lebanon Evacuation," said Airman Cihal.

The Graphics career field will be going away this October and the 39th CS will take on the VTC responsibility. Additionally the39th Services Squadron Marketing and Publicity office will offer a fee-for-service graphics capability.

"39th SVS Marketing and Publicity office will provide the same service and products, however, it will be a fee based service; in some cases we may have to out source it if we don't have the capability in house," said Charlie Stephens, Marketing Director. "A price list is in development and will be available shortly so that organizations can plan accordingly."